Should property in downtown Russellville be rezoned from its current commercial status to residential?

That was the question that attracted several residents of Waterfall Mobile Home Park and surrounding business owners to Thursday night's Russellville City Council meeting. The parcel of land in question is located at 1901 East Main St., behind Region Bank's east branch.

William Thornsberry, who submitted the rezoning request to the Russellville Planning Commission earlier this year on behalf of Bruce Carothers and Matt White, explained the reasons why they believed the land should be rezoned to residential-4 from commercial-2.

On Aug. 23, the Planning Commission approved the recommendation of rezoning by one vote, saying in its report to the city, "At this time, the submitted application is not consistent with the comprehensive plan land use designation of the property. Additionally, recent developments in the area have been commercial in nature rather than residential. Approval of the submitted request at this time would not be consistent with the developed character of the area."

Thornsberry told the council he didn't believe residential areas don't hurt the value of commercial areas, saying the property is landlocked and would not be developed as commercial unless a road was built for additional traffic.

"There are no plans to put any streets there to make it available for development," Thornsberry said. "We feel like this becomes a property that is non-productive."

He went on to address other issues he said had led to misinformation within the community - that the property was a magnet for crime, and it would be a possible safety hazard.

"There is a need for affordable housing in Russellville, and this is a kind of means to that," said Thornsberry, adding there were 40 mobile home spaces with roughly 30 homes, and the property would add an additional 25-30 mobile home spaces.

"I have a feeling if we do this tonight, we'll be booting them (residents) out of their homes and turn around and do it again in six months or a year," Alderman Paul Gray said. "I think the reality is time is not on their side as far as how long they're going to live there. This is a difficult decision. I don't want these folks to have a false sense of security."

"But is that our job?" Alderman Andrea Lea asked. "We have a developer who wants to sell it for commercial property. This is the best use of the land. That's what he's asking for right now. It's not our moral obligation to try to figure out what will happen in six months or a year. It's our job to take the recommendation from the planning commission, after a landowner goes to the planning commission."

"But, our decision is to make the right decision for the right reasons," Alderman Robert Wiley responded.

Sharon Schwartz, a resident of Waterfall Mobile Home Park, said she and many others hoped the property would be zoned residential "and stay that way for many years." Another resident, who said she planned to move there temporarily "34 years ago," added that there isn't additional lands for mobile homes that can be sought by people on fixed incomes.

Chris Bubbus, owner of Garden Valley Apartments, spoke on behalf of himself and his brother, who own Parkway Mobile Home Park. He said he visited with 14 business owners in the area, and a dozen of them agreed with him that the land should remain commercial.

"We feel it would be a step back for the city of Russellville and a decision not in good judgment for the city of Russellville," said Bubbus. "We hate to see the future of Russellville jeopardized with residential in the newest commercial area of Russellville. Mr. Thornsberry is a business icon, and has been good for the city, but we feel that what he is proposing is not in the best interest for residents and business owners."

City planner Jim von Tungeln explained he thought the council has made every opportunity to meet demands of residents and business owners since the property has flip-flopped over the years.

"This is an area in transition," he said. "It would be very difficult to develop this land since it is landlocked. It's a tough decision. I can't offer you a fatal flaw in this decision. My personal opinion that in 10 years from now, it will be commercial.

"Conditions can and do change. I do not know any reason that it cannot be approved to be rezoned. I think the best way in the future or long run is to join it with additional property and zone it commercial. Mobile homes are the only source of home ownership for a large part of the population. I would like to see more areas available for them."

Highway 7 rezoning

The council also tabled until its November meeting a decision on rezoning of property on Highway 7 east of the Russellville Country Club.

Helen Chapman owns the property that another person wants to purchase, do some renovations and open a flower shop by next spring, according to American Dream Realty's Paula McDonald. The Planning Commission approved rezoning the property to C-4. McDonald said a C-2 would be better, but her client would settle for a C-4.

Alderman Faye Abernathy's concern was changing the zoning from residential to commercial, since the property is near the area disputed in lawsuits between the cities of Russellville and Dover. She said she would oppose the rezoning.

Von Tungeln said he and Public Works director Morgan Barrett have "testified in three separate lawsuits that this corridor would trend toward commercial."